FAQ
Log in to Airbnb - Go to your listings and select 1 - Click on preview
Click on Share
Copy
Paste at Houfy
Your listing address bar may display your long URL link. Below is an example screenshot of the long url you may see. If the long URL doesn't work try deleting ALL TEXT after and including the ? symbol.
Listing your property for FREE on Houfy! - a book direct market network. No commissions. No traveler service fees.
Here are a few reasons why you should join Houfy:
- Communicate directly with your prospective renters via phone, text, or email so you can vet them before booking; no hidden phone numbers or emails. Set your own rules; Houfy does not override your cancellation policies.
- Create FREE local guidebooks that you and your guests can share on social media.
- Houfy is a great tool in addition to your own website. We offer calendar, quote, reviews, and pricing embed tools.
- Use your Houfy listing as a website to link to your Google My Business Listing or Facebook page & be found on Houfy for travelers who google your property to avoid paying service fees. Have your repeat guests book for FREE on Houfy!
FAQ About Houfy
Want to save time?
Before creating your listing, send a quick TEST INQUIRY as a traveler to this listing. It will save you a ton of time during set up since you will have already seen the process of a traveler booking: where they are presented your policies, where they agree to them, what the message field prompt says, where the credit card field is, and what notification the traveler receives on their end. NOTE: This listing has Square or Stripe connected so is online bookable. Those without one of these processors connected will only receive inquiries instead of "booking requests."
1) Import or manually add listing to Houfy
Adding your listing is extremely simple! You can do this by using our import tool if you have a VRBO/Airbnb listing OR just manually add your listing. After clicking the link above, be sure to scroll down to use the import tool. The import tool adds your listing to our network in less than 10 seconds. This will import you entire listing except for the Calendar and Rates.
How do I find my Airbnb url?
How do I find my Vrbo url?
2) How do Rental Agreements work on Houfy?
Hosts can add a rental agreement or choose not to use one at all. Travelers will "click to agree" to your policies before booking or sending an inquiry. Hosts can require guests to return a signed agreement along with ID if they wish.
Tips for creating a rental agreement:
- Here are some sample Rental Agreements hosts are welcome to use.
- Reasons why it's a good idea for guests to sign a rental agreement.
- Reasons why it's a good idea to verify ID of the credit card holder.
- Why it's a good idea for guests to sign and acknowledge your cancellation policy.
- Here is where travelers view your rental agreement during the booking process.
3) How do lodging taxes work on Houfy?
Does Houfy collect, file, and remit my lodging tax?
4) How do payments work on Houfy?
Follow these steps to allow your guests to pay online easliy just like they would on Airbnb or Vrbo:
- Stripe and Square: Which Should You Use?
- How do I connect Square or Stripe to Houfy?
- FAQ: How do payments work with Houfy?
- How does a traveler reserve my property and make payment?
5) How can I set up a damage deposit on my listing?
6) Final and most important step when listing on Houfy
**** Be sure to do test inquiries in order to become familiar with the platform. You may need to have a family member or friend test with another email address and go through the entire booking process, as owners cannot book their own properties.***
Join our Facebook group:
Our Facebook Member Group is currently the quickest way to receive customer service/tech support. Also receive the latest insights and updates. Houfy uses powerful programs which can easily be changed to any of your wishes/suggestions.
Houfy help center
****Join our Houfy Vacation rentals Group to advertise your availability to travelers or post ISO (in search of) requests.
Get started marketing your Houfy listing with these easy tips
There are 3 different types of rates:
- Base rates
- Seasonal rates (these override base rates)
- Calendar rates (these override seasonal rates)
Using the example below, a base rate of $299 a night with a 3 night minimum stay already exists (not shown). There is also a seasonal rate called Memorial Day Weekend. (See below).
There is also calendar rate of $350 a night with a 4 night minimum stay. (See below).
So let's say you want to remove the above Calendar rate.
- Select the first calendar block of the date range to bring up the left window.
- Select the correct first and last dates.
- Clear out the price in the Price per night field. Do not enter $0 as that will change the calendar rate to $0. You need to make sure the field is blank.
- Click Save.
Calendar rates have been removed now. And the calendar has defaulted to the seasonal rate of $325 with a 5 night minimum.
When would a host use calendar pricing?
We are aiming to create a perfect marketplace with updated listings and hosts who respond to inquiries with correct availability and pricing.
- Please make sure your pricing is updated.
- Availability: At Houfy you can sync calendars from VRBO/Airbnb and other sites offering ics. Once synced the message will disappear.
- Alternatively you can manually block dates on your calendar.
